Sarfaraz Ahmed was captain when Pakistan won their last global title, the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. He also led Pakistan at the 2019 World Cup, and was their default wicketkeeper until well that year.

Mohammad Rizwan, five years younger his junior, spent years as Sarfaraz’s backup, at times, even playing as a specialist batter while Sarfaraz kept wicket.

After the lockdown, however, Rizwan grew in stature. As his batting improved, Pakistan preferred him over Sarfaraz in the playing XI, and the two switched roles. Sarfaraz found himself part of the reserve bench, playing occasionally at best.

Picked for the 2022/23 home series against New Zealand, Sarfaraz made 86 and 53, and 78 and 118 in the two Test matches. He retained his place on the recently Sri Lanka tour, where he was hit on the head during the Test match at R Premadasa Stadium. Pakistan used Rizwan as concussion substitute.

As it often happens, rumours of rifts between the two surfaced over time, particularly across social media platforms. However, Sarfaraz has now rubbished all such theories.

“The current Pakistan team is very well united. All the players share a brotherly bond and there is no hate between us,” Cricket Pakistan has recently quoted Sarfaraz as saying. “There is no hate between me and Rizwan. The hate is just from the people on social media. These people have nothing to do in their life, hence they come to social media and start writing unnecessary things.”

Sarfaraz also touched upon Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, a subject that has often sparked heated discussions from Indian and Pakistani fans: “Just leave Babar Azam. There is no comparison between him and Virat. Virat is playing cricket for the last 14-15 years. Babar made his debut in 2015.

“Wait and watch Babar till he plays as much cricket as Virat, he will stand at the same stage. No one plays cover drive and on drive better than Babar. Just let him play and enjoy.”